The Masonic Book Club, Vol. 11

Dr. George Oliver has been the most prolific Masonic writer of all times. His many books have covered many Masonic subjects and he was highly regarded in his day. Unfortunately, on a number of occasions he made state ments which have been construed in the wrong way and he has been characterized at times as a writer of imaginative Masonic history. We must judge him in the light of conditions that existed when he lived; and at that time there were few reliable Masonic records which he could examine. Furthermore, he was not a historian but a philosopher and too often his statements were construed as history rather than something else. He is entitled to special credit for editing the works of others and helping preserve them for our use today. Because of the large number of books written by Brother Oliver the officers of the Masonic Book Club felt that one of his books should be published so that he would be represented among the books issued by our Club. The Revelations of a Square was selected, though some persons may consider it a bit controversial, because it is delightful to read and is different than his other books dealing with topics that would need considerable up-dating. Brother Albert L. Woody was requested to write the Introduction for several reasons. Foremost, he has been an admirer of Brother Oliver for many years and is a distinguished Masonic student and author in his own right.